VoIP service is one of the most popular technologies on the Internet today. And unlike so many other Internet services, VoIP, rather than a standard phone service, actually provides real value to the user.
So what exactly is Voice over IP (VoIP)?
Voice over Internet Protocol. Simply the ability to transmit voice traffic (an analog conversation) over the Internet (a packet-based protocol or data pipe). This is done in the same way that music is digitized when converted to MP3.
you probably have Heard of Voice over IP or VoIP before, and maybe you have even used it, but check your knowledge with this list of 9 I need to know facts:
- VoIP is an exciting new technology, but it’s not perfected yet
- Skype, and now Google Talk, are the easiest ways to get started
- Some VoIP service companies that are here today will be gone tomorrow
- A VoIP phone is only as reliable as your broadband Internet connection.
- You whose want to rely on a VoIP phone line to 911!
- VoIP phone service does not carry the same legal protections have a landline
- Low introductory prices for VoIP service are likely to go up later, maybe a lot
- Long distance is getting cheaper, removing some incentives for VoIP
- VoIP is the future and worth looking into
VoIP is exciting, but not perfect
We all love something for nothing, but have you ever heard the phrase “There’s no such thing as a free lunch?” Sure you have. With Voice over IP, keep in mind that it is a relatively new and developing technology, and the “price” may be the lack of quality.
The Internet is designed to pass packets of data. The ability to resend packets that are lost in transmission is built into the way the Internet works. This works great with data packets: keep forwarding until the recipient receives it or until a predetermined timeout.
However, if a packet is voice lost, how does the speaker know to stop talking until the packet reaches the other end? Get the picture? Think back to the early days of cell phones (depending on where you are, you might be thinking cell phones today!).
Anyone who has used VoIP, and has probably been on the receiving end of a VoIP call, whether they knew it or not, knows that abandonments and dropped calls happen. Many businesses are starting to use VoIP to save money on long distance calls. The next time you get a call from a business and the line quality “drops” a bit, you’re probably on a VoIP call.
Skype (or Google Talk) is a must for anyone interested in VoIP
You simply MUST check out this technology. It primarily turns your computer, complete with a microphone and speakers (preferably a headset), into a phone. When you sign in to Skype, Skype servers can connect to others automatically when they “dial” your username.
You can call any other Skype user, who is online, for free. With cheap minute packages, you can call any phone number in the world.
WIFI enabled cell phones even have the ability to make Skype phone calls directly from the phone menu. This saves paid minutes for other calls and makes international calls free.
I know of several companies with employees scattered around the world who keep everyone in touch through free Skype calls.
Which VoIP companies will exist in the long term?
Not all VoIP companies are like Vonage, and Vonage is… Well, have you noticed that Vonage’s IPO (initial public offering) of stock was not so well received, with the stock price rapidly falling by 50% or more?
Vonage is probably the most well-known VoIP company, and if you hang around Internet chat rooms and newsgroups, you’ll see a lot of complaints about dropped calls and other quality and service issues. The company may ultimately resolve the issues and improve its reputation, but only time will tell.
Many other VoIP companies may not last long. Wondering about a company that pays up to $200 for a residential VoIP service referral, as long as the referral remains a $20/mo customer for at least two months? I know one of those companies. Scary.
Not a big deal if you’re just messing around with VoIP on a second phone line and trying to save a little on long distance. But what about number portability when the company that has your number no longer answers? their telephone?
Internet reliability
With Voice over IP, don’t forget what IP stands for: Internet Protocol. Is your Internet service ever down or slow? Guess what that does to your VoIP service; That’s how it is, what a service!
Even if you have the most reliable ISP or Internet Service Provider, the VoIP call must reach the other end after being correctly routed at all intermediate points. If any part of the path fails and cannot be quickly redirected, your call is either dropped or doesn’t exist in the first place.
For VoIP service to work well, the entire network must support something known as QoS, which stands for Quality of Service. The problem is that not all routes on the Internet support QoS, at least not yet.
Like a chain, a Voice over IP phone call is only as good as its weakest link.
And that leads directly to the next point…
DO NOT rely on a VoIP phone line for 911
Now I know there are some of you who are young, single and carefree who may have never had to call 911 in their lives and don’t expect to.
But it’s not just seniors and families with children who have medical emergencies, whether from someone who lives in that residence or from a visitor.
What about the fire? What if you have to call the police?
- You ever Want to pick up the phone to dial 911 and not get an immediate dial tone?
- You ever Do you want to have to redial because the call was dropped?
- You ever wants to be routed to wrong 911 dispatcher? Or is the dispatcher not getting your correct address on their screen?
Emergency 911 service is not yet available with many VoIP services in most areas of the United States. In fact, some providers will only allow you to make OUTGOING calls from home because of this (they want you to keep a landline for now).
For those where it does work, it relies on the correct data being entered into its master database somewhere and the routing algorithms working correctly to get your call to the correct 911 emergency call center.
Traditional landlines have a variety of legal protections, but not VoIP phone service.
With the current attitude of the US government continuing to undermine the Constitution in the name of fighting terrorism, I don’t expect many, if any, legal protections to be extended to VoIP. Certainly none to protect you from Uncle Sam, that’s for sure. And YES, VoIP calls can be traced, even over encrypted connections!
Don’t get sucked into low introductory rates
We all know how it works. 3, 6, 12 months at a low price, then a big increase once you’re hooked. Companies like Vonage started with rates around $50/month. They now offer introductory rates of $20 – $30/month.
You know where they want to get to with those rates. Up. The higher, the better for them. Quite possibly back to $50/month.
The only thing that will prevent that from happening is competition. But in order for the competition to keep prices down, the customer—that is, you—must be willing to put up with the inconvenience of jumping ship. That’s a task that’s sure to be more painful if you try to carry your phone number with you.
Can you count on the VoIP service provider to make it easier for you to switch to one of their competitors? Can you spell “busy signal”? Sure you can. You have been there before. It’s not like being able to walk into your local phone company office where you can talk to someone in person!
And for $20-$50/month, you can buy a lot of long distance calls these days; which brings me to the next item..
Long distance is still cheaper
If your main reason for giving up landline quality and reliability is to get free long distance, your reason is getting smaller and smaller.
Why? Long distance rates are going down. Between the competition and the fact that the telcos themselves are using Voice over IP to route long distance traffic. The difference, however, is that telcos use dedicated networks with high-value equipment to eliminate dropped calls and keep call quality in line with what their customers expect.
Many traditional phone customers are now offered unlimited calling packages. And who doesn’t have a few free minutes in their cell phone package to use for a long distance call every once in a while? The appeal of free calls through a VoIP service is diminishing day by day.
Conclusion: The future of VoIP
Bottom line? Voice over IP is here to stay. It’s it is the future. For those who feel like pioneering, new technology can be fun. Just remember what can happen to pioneers, they get arrows in the back!
If you fancy the latest technology, take Voice over IP for a test drive, I am.
But when I have a very important call, either I don’t want to make a bad impression or I’m calling someone older who can’t hear so well, I pick up a landline, dial 1+ the number and show some respect for the person on the other end of the line.
For more information about Voice over IP and other Windows and computer issues, visit the author’s website at http://www.FreeComputerConsultant.com